Vegan and vegetarian food on the cheap

jazzyjustlaw · 26 April 2005 at 7:26PM

I am veggie and I need some inspiration. Firstly, I want to make a veggie lancashire hotpot with a nice sauce and a shepherd's pie with a nice sauce and some casseroles that kind of thing? Anyone got any ideas or recipes for me? I also love mashed potato and ideas on some variations including a creamy mash. In fact any vegetarian meals would be ideal.

Also any ideas other than quorn that I can use as vegetarian chunks and veggie style chicken - Sainsburys are no longer selling thier own and I am lost now.

Luis · 26 April 2005 at 7:38PM

My Granny used to make a gorgeous shepherd's pie using TVP (textured vegetable protein). The key is in the flavourings added - coriander, oregano, tomato, veggie stock cube etc.

You basically soak it, then use it as normal mince, Granny used to flavour it with herbs, spices, veg, even tomato ketchup.

She also used to make really nice burgers using TVP mince, with rice. So nice, I still make them now as a treat.

If you like mash, then try Cheesy mash (use a good strong mature cheddar for best effect), Colcannon, Bubble and Squeak, Champ.

Try roasting veggies and making a veg lasagne. Yummy.

Magentasue · 26 April 2005 at 7:42PM

I don't make anything meat like except toad in the hole with veggie sausages. As a result our meals tend to be high in fat because they involve pastry or cheese:

Cauliflower Cheese
Leeks in cheese sauce (as Cauliflower cheese but ...)
Cheese and Onion Pasties
Homity Pie
Quiche
Cheese Whirls
Pizza
Gougere

But I just think about all the veg we're eating and pretend the fat doesn't matter! Other than that, it's chilli, veg lasagne, ratatouille type stew, veg soup.

When I do mash, guess what? I whack in loads of cheese! Then chuck more on top and grill it.

Flimber · 26 April 2005 at 8:55PM

You must try shepherds pie made with Mung Beans. It's gorgeous and they're around 23% protein. You basically make a 'thick' mung bean stew of some kind and smooth yer mash over it. And don't spare the garlic

HTH,
Mike.

Bogof_Babe · 26 April 2005 at 9:23PM

If I do a veggie casserole, I bung in a teaspoonful of Marmite. It helps to brown it and adds flavour. :beer:

Ted_Hutchinson · 26 April 2005 at 9:27PM

Please don't think I'm getting at you but yesterday I got some cows with calves to graze my field and they've had such a time today exploring their new home and frolicking about that it's seem such a shame to think that if everyone turned veggie there'd be no point in their existence. If it wasn't for meat eaters I don't know how I'd manage the field in a way which I and the neighbours would approve. Next year the calves will spend with their mates in the field to the front of the house but I can't imagine how this particular wolds countryside would look if it weren't for grazing. Animal husbandry doesn't have to be cruel, I just so love having them about it worries me that it is becoming so uneconomic to keep animals.

In other threads I keep pushing the importance of Omega 3's in brain development and general health, I'm particularly concerned that the vegetarian sources such as linseed simply aren't as effective as fish oils I hope your the kind of vegetarian which also doesn't exclude fish.

System · 26 April 2005 at 9:37PM

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Please don't think I'm getting at you but yesterday I got some cows with calves to graze my field and they've had such a time today exploring their new home and frolicking about that it's seem such a shame to think that if everyone turned veggie there'd be no point in their existence. If it wasn't for meat eaters I don't know how I'd manage the field in a way which I and the neighbours would approve. Next year the calves will spend with their mates in the field to the front of the house but I can't imagine how this particular wolds countryside would look if it weren't for grazing. Animal husbandry doesn't have to be cruel, I just so love having them about it worries me that it is becoming so uneconomic to keep animals.

In other threads I keep pushing the importance of Omega 3's in brain development and general health, I'm particularly concerned that the vegetarian sources such as linseed simply aren't as effective as fish oils I hope your the kind of vegetarian which also doesn't exclude fish.

Surely though Ted, they wouldnt be bred for meat, they would be classed as pets. Sure there wouldnt be as many of them bred but they would still have a place in society. I would love a sheep if my neighbours wouldnt complain.

Addy · 26 April 2005 at 10:13PM

Used to share a house with a vegetarian and would occasionally treat him to a veggie casserole with veggie dumplings!!

I don't remember the exact recipe but it went something like

1 tin baked beans
1 tin chopped tomatoes
tsp tom puree
clove garlic, finely chopped
onion, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
couple parsnips peeled and cubed
3 or 4 spuds, as above.
any other root veg you want
tin butter beans, drained
veg stock - pint and half at a guess.
bouquet garni (or generous pinch of dried herbs!)

dumplings - veg suet, flour, pinch salt and water to mix (follow recipe on box!)

Bung all in pan and simmer gently for an hour to an hour and half - stir occasionally. About 20 minutes before the end pop the dumplings on the top and cook uncovered. Delicious and easy as pie!

Murtle · 27 April 2005 at 12:19PM

jazzyjustlaw wrote:

Also any ideas other than quorn that I can use as vegetarian chunks and veggie style chicken - Sainsburys are no longer selling thier own and I am lost now.

are you sure :eek: :eek: I love that stuff :eek:

creamy mash - I use marg (Pure) garlic/ finely slied onion and cheese

veggies dishes

Spag bol with realet veggie mince

ooo you've thrown me now, I've only got Sainsburys chicken pieces on my mind now....i'll have to get back to you!!!

ps I'm also a veggie....what do you/don't you eat???

Ted....I would be distraught if you killed your cow!!! I would rather everyone looked after animals nicely and had them killed nicely...I have been veggie for a little too long to easily consider eating meat again. but I would rather buy 'friendly' meat then 'evil' meat :T

nickinoo · 27 April 2005 at 12:31PM

I use soya mince which is about £1.50 for a 400g bag in Holland & Barrett (I think they sell it in self weigh shops too), they also sell soya chunks but they made me feel ill as they just seemed a bit too meaty for my liking, they would be ideal for a "steak pie" filling.

I use loads of lentils, beans & pulses in my cooking. You can make stews, curries, chillis, shepherds pie etc with any of those.

I got a slow cooker after reading the thread on here & it's so good for a veggie stew.

A few pieces of dark chocolate in a chilli gives a yummy flavour.

Marmite & vecon are good for adding flavour to just about anything.

I buy the jars of lazy garlic, chillis etc & find them really useful.

I'll rack my brains & get back to you when I get a minute.

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Vegan and vegetarian food on the cheap

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